It's true that anyone can make a mistake. However, those arrested for DWI are usually not first timers that made a mistake. Usually, there is already an established pattern and they finally got caught. Regardless, as the head of the FAA, he has to set the example. Failure to do so negates the FAA and its regulations he is working to endorse.
If a licensed FAA pilot was convicted of DWI, they would have their license suspended or revoked. Will Babbitt lose his license? His job? Or is the gander better than the goose? http://aviation-digest.blogspot.com/2011/12/head-of-faa-charged-with-dwi-will-he.html
The article highlights the need for new and seasoned pilots to regularly put into practice the skill they were taught. How many pilots practice emergency procedures on a regular basis? An emergency is not the time to practice. Pilots should be allowed to regularly "fly" the airplane to keep their skills sharp. Read the rest of my thoughts at http://aviation-digest.blogspot.com/2009/08/are-smarter-airplanes-making-dumber.html
I blogged about this very topic 2 years ago. There are pros and cons to automation in the cockpit. Read my thoughts here: http://aviation-digest.blogspot.com/2009/08/are-smarter-airplanes-making-dumber.html
That's not exactly correct. According to the original press release from ATRA, they examined 100 airlines but only 44 provided enough of the criteria data needed for their study. The result was 10 airlines. http://aviation-digest.blogspot.com/2011/08/worlds-top-ten-safest-airlines.html
